Isaiah 19:21Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

For the father of iniquity, meaning Satan, has assaulted all of humanity, imposing the burden of his harsh dominion, leading them away from the God of compassion and treating them with ruthless cruelty. Yet, the essence of his actions, which stands as a testament to his profound and oppressive brutality, cries out against his reign.

Thus, we must grasp the suffering lament of the Egyptians, even if it seems unjust to assert such a claim, for they who lacked knowledge of the true Lord of the universe could not genuinely call upon Him. However, just as the blood of Abel is said to have cried out to God—though it lacked a voice in the literal sense—God is moved to outrage at the abhorrent wickedness of the act. Similarly, we can interpret the cry of those who were devoted to corrupt idols; despite their ignorance of the Almighty, their torment by Satan led them to plea with God, albeit indirectly, through the misery of their plight. Therefore, it is said the Egyptians cried out to God concerning those who oppressed them, namely the unclean spirits that held them in a cruel bondage.

But the Lord will send them a man who is their savior. Who could this man be? Clearly, it is Christ, the only begotten Word of God, who assumed human form. He did not only save the Egyptians but all humankind. His salvation came through the execution of righteous judgment. What does it mean to bring judgment? It signifies pronouncing righteous judgment upon them. For Satan, along with the unclean spirits, holds sway over the captives of darkness, destined to be judged on the great day of reckoning. Thus, those who endured excessive oppression were rescued, transformed into worshipers, clothed with the light of truth and adorned with the jewels of freedom. The Saviour Himself proclaims: now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world shall be expelled. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all people to myself.

Note that He has issued a judgment on the world and has cast out the one who once dominated it, drawing all to Himself. The Egyptians recognized Him; having done so, they offered sacrifices, made vows, and honored their commitments. This is reflected in the words of David: pray and give thanks to the Lord our God. Consider, therefore, the significance of the new events unfolding. Those who once sacrificed to demons and worshipped Satan, offering thanks and fulfilling vows to him, are now enlightened through Christ. They have abandoned their former errors, coming to know the Creator and Lord of all, serving Him in spirit, fulfilling sacred vows, and providing offerings that are not of bloodshed or the sacrifice of animals, but spiritual and pleasing in their purity.

Thanks to Onias, a vast number of Jews migrated to Egypt, which was also populated with many Cyrenians at that time. Onias believed he was fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy, which states: “In that day an altar to the Lord shall be in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a memorial to the Lord at its borders.” This relates to “the rebellious of the children of thy people” (Dan. 11:14) who abandoned the Lord's commandments and sought to sacrifice outside of the ordained place, believing their actions to align with the vision of the Lord. Yet, they will ultimately meet their downfall, as both the temple and the city will be laid waste.

The prophecy communicates that there will be an altar to the Lord in Egypt, serving as a sign and testimony of His presence. The people will call upon the Lord amidst oppression, and He will provide a Savior and Advocate to rescue them. The Egyptians will come to know the Lord and honor Him with their offerings, fulfilling their vows to Him. While some Jews insist that the altar should only be in the location chosen by God and that only the Levitical priests can offer sacrifices (per Deuteronomy 26), Isaiah indicates that even the Egyptians will encounter and worship the Lord, offering sacrifices and fulfilling their commitments. If the Egyptians possess the priesthood, then Paul’s teaching that “the priesthood which is laid hold of, according to the necessity and the law, it shall be changed” (Hebrews 7:12) also finds fulfillment in them.

Thus, in that day, there will be an altar to the Lord established in the midst of Egypt. It will serve as a sign and witness, encapsulating the Lord's suffering. The inscription, “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” (John 19:19), reveals to all nations, including Egypt, the significance of the cross. In moments of heightened persecution against the name of Christ, believers will cry out, “Abba Father” (Rom. 8:15), and the Lord of Hosts will send them a Savior—Jesus—to deliver them. In their deliverance, both the knowledge of the Lord and recognition by Him will abound, affirming that where sin increases, grace shall multiply (Rom. 5:20). Importantly, there is but one altar in Egypt—symbolizing the true faith in this world—implying that any altars opposing the Church's altar are not established in the name of the Lord. This prophecy highlights that everything concerning the vision of Egypt ultimately points to Christ.

The vows that the Egyptians will make to the Lord primarily signify their commitment to Christ, which is an essential pledge for every Christian during baptism, along with other vows of a more dedicated nature, such as monastic commitments. It is well-known that monasticism thrived in Egypt from the fourth century onward, with numerous monks achieving spiritual salvation through strict solitude and the life within monasteries, reaching a level of holiness akin to that of angels.

The readings in question are particularly significant during the feast of the Purification because shortly after this event, the fulfillment of the prophecy included in these readings was witnessed by the celebrants. It is known that after the Purification of the Holy Child Jesus in the temple of Jerusalem, Joseph and Mary, heeding the directive of the Angel of the Lord, fled with Him to Egypt to protect Him from Herod's wrath, who commanded the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem. According to ancient tradition, upon the child's arrival in the first Egyptian city of Heliopolis, all its idols collapsed, similar to how the statue of Dagon fell before the Ark of the Covenant in its temple. The presence of Christ in Egypt and the downfall of the idols marked the beginning and foreshadowed the victory of the Christian faith over Egyptian idolatry, as foretold in the readings, and it also served as a literal realization of the words expressed in the first verse: "Behold, the Lord sitteth in a cloud of light and cometh into Egypt, and the man-made things of Egypt shall be shaken at His face." This prophecy closely relates to the time when idolatry was shamed in pre-Christian Egypt, while simultaneously, it symbolizes the more complete and ultimate defeat of idolatry that would occur with the coming of Christ the Savior into the world. Notably, the prophecy emphasizes that the Lord's coming into Egypt is depicted as arriving on a swift cloud, symbolizing rapidity. This notion of swiftness underscores the urgency of their flight, emphasizing the quick movement characteristic of that escape.